Dukes of Hazzard reunion could be big draw

BYRON, Ga. (AP) — The upcoming "Dukes of Hazzard" reunion in Byron is beginning to have the makings of a countrified Woodstock.

Organizer Chris Jennings said when he first conceived the "Dukes of Hazzard" Georgia Reunion, Classic Car Show and Music Festival, he was hoping for 10,000 people. He said he now believes more than 60,000 will show up for the event that runs Friday through Sunday. He said tickets have been sold in all 50 states and nine countries.

The reunion will feature seven of the original cast members, including John Schneider (Bo Duke), Tom Wopat (Luke Duke), Catherine Bach (Daisy Duke), James Best (Sheriff Roscoe P. Coltrane), Sonny Shroyer (Deputy Enos Strate), Ben Jones (Cooter Davenport) and Rick Hurst (Deputy Cletus Hogg). The cast members will be available for autographs Saturday.

The show aired from 1979 to 1985 and at one time was second only to "Dallas" in the ratings. It featured the exploits of the Duke boys and their battles with corrupt county commissioner Boss Hogg and his right-hand man, Sheriff Coltrane. Their confrontations invariably resulted in car chases, featuring the Duke's iconic 1972 Dodge Charger, the General Lee.

"It was just a great family-oriented show," said Jennings, a Macon car dealer. "The only bad thing is all of the cars I've wrecked over the years trying to imitate them. I remember racing home to watch it."

The event will feature a concert Friday by country singer David Allen Coe, a classic car show with more than 500 cars, an Army tank, a monster truck, helicopter rides and jump houses for children. Other musical performances through the weekend include Ben Jones & Cooter's Garage Band, Confederate Railroad and The Lacs, a "country-rap" duo. Other local musical acts also will perform.

The reunion is being held at the Old Middle Georgia Raceway at 4015 U.S. 41 North in Byron. Advance one-day tickets are $20. All three days costs $35. Children 6 and younger and seniors 65 and older are free. Tickets can be purchased at www.dukesofhazzardgareunion.com, or in Warner Robins at Victory Lane Auto Sales or Flooring Specialists, and in Byron at the Welcome Center or Big Peach Antique Mall.

Jennings said proceeds will go to the Bradley Baptist Church Road to Hope Program, the Jones County Cruisers Annual Charity Drive for children and families, as well as other charities.

In the show, fictional Hazzard County was set in Georgia. The first five episodes were filmed in Covington, but the filming then moved to California.